Adelaide United coach Gertjan Verbeek says Marvel Stadium is “awful” for soccer and that A-League fixture is unfair
Adelaide United coach Gertjan Verbeek didn’t hold back following his team’s 1-2 loss to Melbourne Victory on Saturday night, criticising the draw and also labelling Marvel Stadium “awful” for soccer.
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Adelaide United coach Gertjan Verbeek took a swipe at the integrity of the A-League competition after his side lost in an “awful” stadium in Melbourne on Saturday night.
The Reds dropped three vital points in a 1-2 loss to Melbourne Victory after taking the lead via Kristian Opseth in the seventh minute at Marvel Stadium.
Two second half goals, the equaliser from All Whites international Marco Rojas and a stoppage time killer blow from fringe Socceroo Andrew Nabbout instigated a philosophical conversation from Verbeek.
“There has to be changing some rules in the A-League also that we play for the third time Victory (this season), three times Sydney and two times Perth,” he said.
“It’s sometimes strange, it’s not honest, but they are the rules here in Australia.
“I’m a foreigner and I don’t think it will help improve the quality of football.
“That’s the same as playing in the heat.
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“I have played (coached) games in 38 and 39C in the afternoon, why don’t we play at seven o’clock … that’s (the heat) also dangerous for players.
“They don’t listen to us we as trainers (coaches), they don’t ask us, nobody asks us, the owners don’t, the PFA (union) don’t, they only listen to Fox Sports.
“They are paying so, yeah, we have to listen.
“The ones who pays decides, that’s everywhere in life.
“Only in a marriage, it doesn’t work like that.”
Verbeek also made comparisons to what is regarded as normal in football in his native Netherlands, citing Reds defensive midfielder Louis D’Arrigo, 18, as an example.
He said the Australian Under 20s side recent tour of Holland is an indication to where Australian development is at currently.
“The under 20s have played a tournament in Holland and got beaten by Ajax 4-0, I believe they won over Twente but there is a big difference from Twente and the Ajax youth,’’ he said.
“When I compare Louis D’Arrigo with players from Ajax, who are 17 or 18, some players already play (UEFA) Champions League at that age.
“They play 60 to 70 games (a season) at that age, at a good and high level.
“Louis D’Arrigo last year played 10 games.
“So tactical and technical players are much better (in the Netherlands).”
“Much further (better) than players here at 17, 18 and 19 years old.”
And Verbeek didn’t like the gigantic Marvel Stadium, which still holds the record Melbourne crowd for an A-League grand final when 56,371 fans packed out the venue in Victory’s 6-0 win over Adelaide in 2007.
“It’s awful, the pitch is OK, even for the fans it’s not a nice environment to play, it’s so far away from the public,’’ Verbeek said.
“So, I don’t know why we have to play in such a stadium with (the rectangular) AAMI Park also around the corner.
“But that’s not why we lost, it’s a pity for the football.
“For AFL it’s a fantastic stadium.”